# bison

/ˈbaɪsən/ (US) · /bˈaɪsən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bison
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a very large, hairy wild animal that looks like a cow with a hump on its back. They live in large groups on grassy plains in North America and Europe.

For teachers: a large, heavy-set wild bovid with a shaggy mane and a humped shoulder. Refers primarily to the North American species (Bison bison) or the European wisent (Bison bonasus).

## Examples

- The bison grazed peacefully on the open grass.
- During our trip to the national park, we saw a massive bison standing right next to the road.
- Conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced bison to several protected areas, allowing these keystone herbivores to restore the ecological balance of the native prairie through their grazing habits.

## Pitfalls

- Not "a herd of buffaloes" but "a herd of bison" — While often used interchangeably in casual speech, 'bison' is the scientifically accurate name for the North American animal, which is distinct from the true buffalo of Africa and Asia.

## Usage notes

- The plural form can be either 'bison' or 'bisons', though the zero-plural 'bison' is more common in scientific and collective contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.